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Groveport Madison choir in fine voice
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - March 02, 2010)
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| Photo courtesy of Groveport Madison High School |
| The Groveport Madison High School Chamber Choir is pictured here at a recent rehearsal. The choir will give a free vocal recital performance on March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Groveport Madison High School. |
The Groveport Madison High School Chamber Choir and soloists made beautiful music earning superior and excellent ratings at the District 15 competition on Feb. 13.
"They competed in the highest class. The students worked hard and I'm very pleased and proud of them," said Groveport Madison choir director Chris Geisler.
At the competition, the chamber choir and soloists Tyler Wyche and Liz Ross earned superior ratings. Soloists Danielle O'Neill and Keysha Cain earned excellent ratings.
Geisler said the full chamber choir performed the song, "Set Me as a Seal," a challenging contemporary piece.
"It's a solemn song with complex harmony with a division of vocal parts," said Geisler. "The piece changes mood about half way through and becomes more intense."
The song was performed a cappella.
"That puts more power to the voices," said Geisler. "The performance has to be a shared effort to create a beautiful blend."
Geisler said songs are chosen for the choir and soloists that fit their voices and ability level.
"We want it to be challenging, but not out of their grasp," said Geisler.
Choir study, according to Geisler, works hand in hand with students' study of other academic subjects.
"Students must understand sight reading of music and learn to analyze what happens in the music itself," said Geisler. "This enhances the academic experience through cooperative learning and, in turn, helps them apply these skills to other subjects."
He added being in choir also rounds out students and makes them more interested in other school activities.
Geisler said a background in choir will travel with students as they progress through life.
"It will enhance their appreciation of music in general. They'll become better consumers of music and be more open to other musical experiences and be informed citizens and advocates of the arts. They learn that music is not just as simple as turning on a radio. It's the love of music that touches lives in a special way."
Geisler said the human singing voice is "a common element that ties us together universally as humans. It breaks down boundaries of race and class. The human voice conjures up a transcendent meaning that affects mood."
He said that, though not everyone can play an instrument, everyone has their own unique voice that can convey the deepest emotions and feelings.
"Music belongs to everyone," said Geisler.
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